prepfast-mc Automating Sample Purification MC-ICPMS Elemental Scientific ICP ICPMS AA 1
prepfast-mc Brief and system schematics...2 Uranium Isotopes...3 Strontium Isotopes...6 Boron Isotopes...9 Brief The prepfast-mc is a fully automated, low pressure chromatography system that isolates elements of interest from the sample matrix and collects multiple discrete eluent fractions for precise isotopic analysis. The syringe-driven system allows sample loading, multiple acid washes, column conditioning and elution cycles all at user-defined intervals (time, volume and flow rate). Features: Fully automated Syringe control - Load exact volume - Dispense exact volume - Precise flow rates All fluoropolymer flow path Multiple destination locations Flexible chemistry Figure 1. SC-4 DX top view with locations for Sample, Fraction 1, Fraction 2, and Fraction 3. Vial sizes, styles and rack configurations are flexible. 1 Fill Loop 2 Dispense Loop Onto Column To Loop From Loop Sample Destination V1 V1 Nebulizer** Nebulizer** SC-4 DX Sample In V2 Destination Vial or Waste V2 Reagent1 Reagent3 Reagent5 Reagent2 Reagent4 Reagent6 DIWater DIWater 3 Elute Sample From Loop V1 Figure 2. The prepfast-mc system schematic illustrating three-steps of 1) load sample into loop 2) push sample or reagent through column to waste or destination vial and 3) eluting sample to destination vial. Nebulizer** Destination Vial V2 **For Inline Method Development Only 2014 Elemental Scientific 2
Uranium Isotopes High resolution δ238/235u isotope chemostratigraphy tracking redox variations in the Late Paleozoic Mid continental Sea. Data courtesy of Achim Herrmann Author: Paul Field (field@icpms.com) High-resolution isotope ratio stratigraphy requires the routine analysis of large numbers of samples. To reduce interferences and minimize matrix effects, extensive purification procedures are used to isolate elements from their natural matrix. Current purification protocols require manually feeding gravity-driven separation columns, a process that is both costly and time consuming. This laboratory bottleneck is eliminated with the prepfast-mc, an automated, low-pressure ion exchange chromatography system that can process from 1 to 60 samples in unattended operation. The syringe-driven system automatically isolates elements of interest and collects up to 3 discrete fractions at user-defined intervals (time, volume and flow rate). The combination of maximizing sample throughput and minimizing costs associated with personnel and consumables provides an opportunity to greatly expand research horizons in fields where large isotopic data sets are required, including archeology, geochemistry, climate/environmental science, biomedical sciences and food authentication. Figure 3. Fully-automated chromatographic separation of uranium (red) from all other matrix elements in BCR-2 (Columbia River Basalt) using the prepfast-mc system. Elution profile was collected online in realtime using a Thermo XSERIES ICP-MS. Data courtesy of Stephen Romaniello and Gwyneth Gordon (Arizona State University). Uranium Elution Profile M. P. Field field@icpms.com In collaboration with: Stephen Romaniello, Gwyneth W. Gordon, Achim Herrmann and Ariel D. Anbar 3
Average Yield = 98% Figure 4. Uranium recovery for 26 consecutive samples with fully-automated cleaning and reuse of the separation column. The average yield was 98% and the minimum yield was 92%. Data courtesy of Stephen Romaniello and Gwyneth Gordon (Arizona State University). External Reproducibility Figure 5. External reproducibility of δ 238/235 U for 10 aliquots CRM145 independently processed through chemistry over a 1 week period interspersed with natural samples using the prepfast- MC. Errors bars indicate the 2σ precision of replicate measurements on a single sample aliquot (n 3). Blue dashed lines indicate the 2σ precision for the means of all sample aliquots. Data collected using a Thermo Neptune MC-ICPMS and courtesy of Stephen Romaniello and Gwyneth Gordon (Arizona State University). 4
Recovery 120 100 + 3 % + 4 % + 3 % + 5 % % Recovery 80 60 40 20 0 Run 1 (n = 26) Run 2 (n = 10) Run 3 (n = 30) Run 4 (n = 30) Figure 6. Data collected over four runs of thirty automated extractions illustrates constant, complete recovery for within run, and run to run extractions. The column was replaced for each run. Within run replicates are indicated by n and recovery determinations are within analytical uncertainty. Matrix Removal: 5 to 6 Orders of Magnitude 1000.000 Concentra)on (ppm Log Scale) 100.000 10.000 1.000 0.100 0.010 0.001 0.000 Na Al Fe Before Processing A8er Processing Figure 7. The concentration of major matrix elements determined in final extractions indicates greater than 99.999% matrix removal. Initial concentration of 500 ppm matrix elements is reduced to less than 20 ppb or lower. 5
Strontium Isotopes 87 / 86 Determined 0.70503 ± 2 0.71312 0.70915 ± 2 Rock (BCR-2) Bone (NIST 1400) Seawater (IAPSO) Reference 0.70501 ± 8 0.71310 ± 2 0.70917 ± 1 Authors: Paul Field (field@icpms.com) and Patrick Sullivan High-precision isotope analyses in forensic anthropology, nuclear forensics and food authentication applications, requires the generation of large data sets. A new, fully automated purification method for the prepfast-mc eliminates the sample preparation bottle neck. Reproducibility, reliability, recovery, blank and carry over are at required levels for the determination of isotopes in a variety of natural samples. Potential applications of prepfast-mc are illustrated by accurate and precise determination of isotopes in rock, bone, and seawater reference materials. Unattended, the prepfast-mc can process up to 48 samples in 24 hours and, (depending on chemistry), collect several purified extractions from each sample. Recovery Percent Recovery M. P. Field field@icpms.com 150 200 Average Matrix Removal: 99.4% 150 100 100 Average Recovery: 100% 50 50 In collaboration with: 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 Sample Recovery (%) Stephen Romaniello, Gwyneth W. Gordon and Ariel D. Anbar 6 Matrix Removal (%) 45 50 55 0 Percent Matrix Removal Figure 8. Strontium recovery for 55 consecutive, fully automated extractions is plotted. 100% recovery and near complete removal of provides pure fractions for accurate and precise determination of isotopic ratios.
, Column Chemistry 1) Loading 2M HNO3 2) Column rinse 2M HNO3 3) Elute 5M HNO3 4) Elute 0.1M - HNO 3 HNO 3 Fe Figure 9. Illustration of fully-automated chromatographic separation of from and other matrix components. and Elution Profile Load 2M Wash Matrix in 2M Elute in 5M Elute in 0.1M Black: 24 Green: 31 P Red: 42 Light Blue: 49 Ti Brown : 85 Rb Blue: 88 CondiLon L o a d Wash Matrix Elute Elute Wash Column Figure 10. Online, real-time elution profile collected on the Element 2 (Thermo) illustrates the fully-automated chromatographic separation of and from matrix components. In carbonate samples it is possible to also collect the fraction during sample load and wash cycles. 7
Percent Yield 120 100 99 101 100 97 99 104 97 101 101 100 99 103 80 60 Average Yield: 100% ± 2.1% 40 20 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 %Yield Blank Figure 11. Strontium recovery for 24 consecutive, fully automated extractions with cleaning and reuse of the separation column. Constant high yields and no carryover (below detection) illustrate the ability to reuse the resin. Matrix Removal: Average > 99% 50,000 99.99% Removal 97.7% Removal 120 Matrix Removal 99.3% Removal 100 40,000 Concentra)on (ppb) 30,000 20,000 99.99% Removal Concentra)on (ppm) 80 60 40 10,000 20 99.6% Removal 0 0 P Ti Before Processing After Processing Rb Figure 12. The concentration of major matrix elements determined in final extractions indicates > 99% matrix removal (P, Ti,, Rb). removal is sufficient for accurate determination of isotope ratios and can be further reduced with additional wash cycles. The fraction can also be collected for isotope ratio measurement, if desired. 8
Boron Isotopes δ 11 B Determined Coral JCp 24.40 ± 0.12 Authors: Paul Field (field@icpms.com) The merits of a new prepfast-mc method for the purification of boron from carbonate samples are demonstrated. The fully automated syringe-driven system cleans the column (0.5M ), conditions the column (DI H 2 O), loads the sample (0.5M buffered with Na acetate/acetic acid), elutes the matrix (DI H 2 O) and elutes the sample (0.5M ) from the column. User-defined reagent volumes and flow rates result in near complete removal of sample matrix (>99% of ) and the quantitative recovery of boron in ~ 600 µl (~ 100% ± 2.7%, n=10). Full automation, precise/accurate syringe control, identical flow path, and one column/resin bed all contribute to the reproducibility of extraction. The concept of resin reuse is validated by > 30 replicate extractions with high yield and minimal carryover (< 0.01%; below our detection). The prepfast-mc processes a sample in approximately 30 mins (48 samples per day) automating timely extraction techniques that will aid the advance of boron isotopes as a mainstream research tool. Figure 13. Comparison of prepfast-mc purified samples to National Oceanography Centre long term average. Reproducibility M. P. Field field@icpms.com In collaboration with: Miguel A. Martinez-Boti, Eleni Anagnostou and Gavin Foster National Oceanography Centre Southampton University, UK 9
Recovery Percent yield 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Boron average yield 100% + 2.7% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Sample number Figure 14. Data collected from twenty automated extractions, alternating between sample and blank using the prepfast-mc boron method, are plotted. The data illustrate the ability to maintain both consistent and complete recovery of boron from multiple injections on one column. Elution Profile Intensity (cps) 3.0E+07 2.5E+07 2.0E+07 1.5E+07 1.0E+07 5.0E+06 0.0E+00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 100 µl frac=ons B % Recovery 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Percent Recovery (%) Figure 15. Ten 100 µl fractions collected from the prepfast-mc are used to generate an elution profile. Baseline calcium and high recovery ( > 99.9% in 600 µl) indicate sufficient matrix removal and quantitative boron elution. Quantitative recovery in a small final volume maintains boron concentrations at sufficient levels for isotopic analysis. 10
Low rryover 500 400 rryover < 0.01% Concentra)on (ppb) 300 200 100 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Run Number Sample Elu4on Blank Figure 16. Analysis of alternating blank - sample fractions from the prepfast-mc indicate boron values return to baseline concentrations for each blank. When baseline boron concentration is subtracted from each blank the data indicate greater than 4 orders of magnitude washout. Less than 0.01% carryover immediately after processing a 300 µg/l sample demonstrates no cross contamination from column reuse. Benefits: Fully automated User defined - sample size - elution volume - wash/load/elute rates Multiple fractions High throughput (30-50 samples/day) Stand alone system runs 24 hrs unattended prepfast-mc System 11
Elemental Scientific 7277 World Communications Drive Omaha, NE 68122 p: 402-991-7800 f: 402-991-7799 prepfast@icpms.com esi@icpms.com 12 14100